ABSTRACT
Réseau Express Métropolitain (REM) is the new light rail transit network of Montreal, Canada. This electric and fully automated LRT network will facilitate mobility across the Greater Montreal Region by providing 67 km of twin tracks and 26 stations. This new LRT network uses existing Mont-Royal Tunnel (MRT) to connects Downtown Montreal to the north side of the Island of Montreal by passing through Mount Royal mountain. In addition, two of the project stations will be built inside this tunnel by enlarging it from a double-track tunnel to side-platform station at the location of these stations. The Mont-Royal Tunnel (MRT) is a century-old railway double track horseshoe tunnel. The tunnel is approximately 5 km long, 8.8 m wide and 5.5 m high, with a constant 0.6% grade. In order to use MRT in a modern transit system, the tunnel needed to be inspected, rehabilitated and be compliant to the recent safety standards. This paper presents a summary of history and characteristics of the existing tunnel plus the implemented steps to upgrade the tunnel. It includes the details of the structural inspection and rehabilitation methods of the tunnel. Further, this paper summarizes the procedures for the space proofing, construction of the separation wall, and the tunnel enlargement. It also describes parts of complications encountered during the constructions and solutions implemented to tackle these issues.
